Thoughts on things that matter for time and eternity…

Actions Speak Louder

(Photograph by Eunice Ruth Barilea)
I am not even a good singer, but I courageously joined the choir that will be singing for our stake conference on the first weekend of March. I find that singing hymns with other people who can actually sing 🙂 invites the Spirit. The experience gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling—something that I can never trade for anything else in this world!! 🙂
I love the words of one of the hymns we will be singing. It goes:

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad, made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help, was I there?

Then wake up, and do something more

than dream of your mansion above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

a blessing of duty and love.

(“Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns #223)

I watched part of the Grammy Awards yesterday and was touched by the song number of Andrea Bocelli accompanied by David Foster and a lady singer. They sang to raise funds for the Haiti people. It never stops to amaze me how generous people can be of their time and talents in order to extend help to the needy.
We don’t have to be excellent singers or musicians such as them to make our own contribution to society and the community we live in. In our own little ways, we can do something good in the world today. Be it helping an old lady cross the street, visiting people who are sick and lonely, or offering rides to people when they need it—no matter if they’re our friends or foes!
I think the hymn says it all. Nothing compares to the happiness that comes to those who do good towards their fellow beings. It is a Christ-like attribute worthy of emulation which pleases our Father, and consequently obtains great blessings from above. 🙂

16 Responses

This one of my favorite hymn and it always touches my heart everytime we sing it in church….Nice that you join the choir…I wish to see you sing during your Conference meeting….It’s not a matter of good voice, but the spirit of singing along with the choir members..and in the conference…with full of spirit…

Nice Ruth… Hello Ate Che. Thanks for the inspiring messages. I always forward it to my missionary son and He like it. He is now a Zone Leader in Zamabales, Santa Crus Zone. One year na rin siya sa mission. Love you po! Ingat palagi.

Hi cherry ! … its been a while … hehe..
Yeah, that hymn is one of my favorites …. parang favorite din sya ng ward ! (halata e!)
Di na ko naglakas loob mag join ng choir, i’d rather hear you guys do it , so i can feel the Spirit as well.
Thanks for the nice thoughts … and the amazing talents you have !!. keep blessing the lives of many,
know you have your own struggles and i admire how you carry them . I do have a lot myself and im grateful for the church and the temple , ..and of course, our HYMNS !

Yehey! At least 2 na ung anak ko na member ng
Stake Choir! Your sister Cathy here in International
Ward in Vienna, Austria, and you there in your
Stake in Manila…Bravo, no wonder coz you are
also musically inclined and have the blood of an artist,
which is God given!

The hymn reminds me of yesterday while I was on my way back home. While inside the MRT II train coach a mother with her young boy got up from sitting and let a girl standing occupied their sit. I taught they will disembark from the nearest station but they did not. So I stand and asked the mother to take my sit. When they alighted from their destination, I taught its my turn to sit. Suddenly, a pregnant woman entered near me. As I signal her to take my place, another man hurriedly stand so that she can be sitted. The preggy now feels good about it that she have to choose which sit she will occupy. Thats the beauty of still having some good guys there who won’t let you down.

We compensate the many blessings received everyday of our life with all the good things done to others. Nothing is worth living than to be of service to our fellowbeings. My day is not complete without it.